At 1 A.M. we are startled awake by the sound of two simultaneous explosions. Ronnie, who was apparently taking a dump in the adjacent bathroom, runs into the office zipping up his pants.
“The ATV’s,” he yells in a halting gasp. “Someone torched the ATV’s! I guess your homeboy, Reverend Cox was for real!”
By this time, we’ve all shed our blankets and climbed to our feet. Anthony hands Pamela, the newcomer, a weapon and a flashlight. She looks over her shoulder at Deidre, who is visibly afraid. With a slight smile, Pamela motions for her autistic companion to join her.
“It’s cool, Deidre. Come with me.”
Deidre moves to Pamela’s side and offers a shaking hand. Pamela takes it and smiles broader. Her voice is calm and controlled.
“It’s cool! Stay with me. We’re going to check what the noise was outside, okay? Just stay close to me. Don’t let go of my hand.”
We exit the store in two columns, each pair looking to opposite sides. Two of the ATV’s are still smoking. Another sits untouched. Except for a large banner across the hood. On the banner are words written in what looks to be blood. A lot of it.
“Join us, now! The righteous have been called up. This is the final judgment. The Lord’s wrath is swift. Pick who you will serve this day!”
Ronnie spits on the ground and snarls a slew of curse words which are almost intelligible. The only words I can make out are: “Screw this mother…” I turn to the youths and usher them back inside.
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“Back inside. This ain’t looking good!”
“No crock, Sherlock! I told you we should have dealt with this punk this afternoon! Violence is all some crazies understand. Now, we’ve lost two ATV’s. We got guns! It’s time we use ‘em!”
“And do WHAT!? We gonna go up there and gun all those people down? Huh? Act as crazy as you accuse him of being? That ain’t the way this game is gonna be played. We arm ourselves. And we stay vigilant. But, we are not gonna go out hunting other human beings! You got that?”
Ronnie is still seething, but he remains quiet. His eyes are very nearly shooting daggers into my soul. Deidre whimpers beside Pamela and swings her other arm. She exudes nervous energy. I nod toward the front door a second time.
“Come on, come on. Back inside. We’ll figure out a watch roster. From now on, someone must always be awake and alert. Let’s get inside.”
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“Ronnie…You and Pamela are first watch. Each watch will last for two and a half hours. Carla and Anthony are second watch. I’ll have third watch with Deidre and Pamela. Pamela will stay by Deidre’s side but be allowed to doze if necessary. To make all things fair. Everyone stay vigilant and we’ll be okay.
They’re not getting in here—Or, even close to here—if we don’t let them. Everything will be fine.”
As I walk past Ronnie, I lay a hand on his right shoulder. He looks down at my hand but doesn’t speak.
“Thanks for really stepping up! Taking first watch! That shows real courage.”
Ronnie nods and still remains quiet. I can tell he is considering the merit of what I have said. The encounter outside informed me that another approach would have to be taken with Ronnie. This kid is obviously used to being handled with an iron fist. But sometimes a helping and gentle hand is a better way.
I lay down on my cot less than five minutes later—and am still staring at the popcorn ceiling when the sun comes up that morning. We survived the first night.